HB 23-1088

HB 23-1088, also known as the Veterans Mental Health Session Reimbursement Program, provides funding for veterans living in a veterans community living center to access additional mental health services. The program covers up to 26 extra therapy sessions per year after they've used their full VA benefits. It requires participating providers to be listed on a state website and is now law since Governor signed it on May 16, 2023. This means veterans can start using the program immediately to get more mental health support if needed.

Official Summary

The act establishes the veterans mental health services program (program) in the division of veterans affairs (division) to facilitate access to mental health services for veterans who live in a veterans community living center. The act requires a veteran to attest that the veteran has exhausted the annual number of sessions with a mental health-care provider covered by the veteran's federal veterans administration benefits before using the program. The program reimburses mental health-care providers for 26 mental health-care sessions per year with an eligible veteran. The act requires the behavioral health administration to post on its website a list of providers who participate in the program. The bill appropriates $642,645 from the general fund to the department of military and veterans affairs for use by the division for the program. APPROVED by Governor May 16, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 16, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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